Home

Research laboratory plasma tunnel facility overview

Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory (MAPLAB) Summary

The Magnetoaerodynamics and Aerospace Plasmas Laboratory (MAPLAB) specializes in studying the physics of aerospace plasmas and related applications, such as hypersonics. The laboratory specializes in studying the physics of aerospace plasmas and related applications, such as hypersonics. Key laboratory capabilities include several unique radio-frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) tunnel facilities designed and built within the laboratory, spanning a range of input power levels up to 40kW. The facilities produce high-temperature supersonic ionized plasma flows to simulate plasmas formed during high altitude hypersonic flight, featuring two table-top scale up to 5kW tunnels and two larger scale up to 40kW facilities, with full operation of the larger 40kW main facilities achieved in late 2025 after an over three-year facility design, building renovation, and equipment integration effort. The larger scale main plasma tunnel facilities are driven by water-cooled RF ICP torches operating at 40kW and 13.56MHz. In the context of RF ICP tunnels for hypersonics, the combination of up to 40kW input power and relatively high 13.56MHz frequency enable generation of chemically pure, high enthalpy flows with relatively high ionization levels. These RF ICP sources are then coupled to converging diverging nozzles and water-cooled 1.5m x 1.5m vacuum chambers evacuated by a shared large capacity mechanical vacuum pumping system, with a base pressure of 10-4 mbar and maximum volumetric pumping speed exceeding 20,000 m3/hr.  

The resulting plasma jet discharge into the test vacuum chamber is a continuous plasma tunnel ground test facility for hypersonics simulating an ionized hypersonic plasma free-stream at high-altitude (low base pressure), with temperatures exceeding several thousand degrees K. The laboratory power supply, water-cooling, and vacuum systems are designed such that all plasma tunnels can run simultaneously to enable higher testing throughput, a unique capability. Overall, the facility is one of less than five such high power inductively coupled plasma tunnel facilities in US academia, and its uniquely high vacuum pumping capacity is capable of maintaining lower chamber base pressures for simulating high altitude hypersonic flight environments while also featuring a control system to increase base pressure for simulating lower altitudes. The laboratory includes access for various plasma, fluid, and thermal diagnostics to facilitate hypersonics experimental investigations with a unique additional capability magnetohydrodynamics for hypersonics and aerospace plasmas—magnetoaerodynamics.

Map of high enthalpy facilities for Hypersonics in the US

MAPLAB Location Among other US High Enthalpy Test Facilities 

Research Overview and Laboratory Capabilities

The Laboratory Offers Several Research Capabilities and Focus Areas (Selected):

  • High enthalpy RF ICP supersonic plasma wind-tunnel facilities for Hypersonics and MHD experiments.
  • Experimental studies of MHD aerodynamic and aerothermalinteractions for Hypersonics and reentry.
  • Experimental characterization of atmospheric entryplasma properties for Hypersonics and reentry.
  • Experimental investigation of RF signal transmission through plasma  for Hypersonics and reentry.
  • Experimental ground testing of thermal protection materials for Hypersonics and reentry
  • Simulation and analysis of system impacts of MHD and plasma interactions for Hypersonics and reentry.

How to Join

Please email your interest to the lab director, Dr. Hisham Ali.